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( Collette grins, nodding enthusiastically. )
Of course! That way, we don't have to worry about being low on supplies... and then the people who aren't ivnited can't be miffed, because we did something for them, too! Ahiru, you're brilliant!
Of course! That way, we don't have to worry about being low on supplies... and then the people who aren't ivnited can't be miffed, because we did something for them, too! Ahiru, you're brilliant!
I'll have to clear things before I can go... but we're planning this for at least next week anyway, right?
"What? A mind control drug? That's..." Give him a second to process that information, Collette. It's completely insane, and as far as he knew, impossible. He doesn't even need to make the effort to dodge that question about the food, because he's already forgotten that she asked. He's too busy trying to scrape together his understanding of the world -though maybe he'd better stop thinking in global terms now that they've gone extraterrestrial...
No, that isn't helping. Stand by for reboot. He's going to need to take a minute, here.
No, that isn't helping. Stand by for reboot. He's going to need to take a minute, here.
"Well, I guess it makes them more open to suggestion. The addiction's bad," she says, more soft as she watches Stan fail to process. "The withdrawal's pretty killer. Basically don't shoot this stuff up unless you've got freaky healing powers, you know? There's juice in the big container over there."
She gestures down the counter.
She gestures down the counter.
Anytime after mod month. ( She blurts out. ) Just, you know, feels better once everyone's had the chance to settle in and all!
Heya, Collette! It's been a while, right? So I thought I'd give you a ring! How you been? It sounds like the Initiative finally got around to fixing up the werewolves, so maybe things are okay with that now. I gave everybody a warning, too.
[...]
Ah, right, right, there was something else, ahh, hmm. I might have played a little prank on a new guy, and he might come see you in a bit. He was kinda grumpy, so I figured I'd help him lighten up a bit. You don't mind, do you? I don't think he'll be too mad.
[...]
Ah, right, right, there was something else, ahh, hmm. I might have played a little prank on a new guy, and he might come see you in a bit. He was kinda grumpy, so I figured I'd help him lighten up a bit. You don't mind, do you? I don't think he'll be too mad.
Yeah, I noticed the warning all right.
( She snorts. )
What kind of prank are we talking about? And who's the new guy?
( She snorts. )
What kind of prank are we talking about? And who's the new guy?
No, no, not that one. That was just... um, yelling.
[He may sound a little embarrassed about that, but he also can't really say he regrets it. He's still kind of mad at the Initiative for their oversight. You expect certain things from technologically advanced kidnappers, okay.]
... Ah, his name was, um... [there's a bit of shuffling and clicking] Walter Dornez! I think he's from a while back 'cause he said they had huge microphones where he comes from. Anyway, it was just a little prank, he kept going on about freeloading and stuff so I told him we had an Exile charity set up that we should all donate part of our salary to. Extra for Exiles, pretty catchy, right?
[He may sound a little embarrassed about that, but he also can't really say he regrets it. He's still kind of mad at the Initiative for their oversight. You expect certain things from technologically advanced kidnappers, okay.]
... Ah, his name was, um... [there's a bit of shuffling and clicking] Walter Dornez! I think he's from a while back 'cause he said they had huge microphones where he comes from. Anyway, it was just a little prank, he kept going on about freeloading and stuff so I told him we had an Exile charity set up that we should all donate part of our salary to. Extra for Exiles, pretty catchy, right?
Extra for Exiles? Usually we just call that volunteering, but sure. What exactly is he expecting to do with this when he gets to me?
( PUZZLED ABOUT ALL OF THIS what did you do sir what did you do! )
( PUZZLED ABOUT ALL OF THIS what did you do sir what did you do! )
No, no, every charity's gotta have a catchy name, even a fake one! Especially a fake prank one. [He gets all fussy about the weirdest things, yo.] Umm, I just told him to ask you for more details about donatin' and stuff. You could make stuff up?
[DON'T LET HIM DOWN, COLLETTE, YOU SEEMED LIKE A CHILL GAL.]
He was really confident about his sense of direction, so I just figured sending him places might be fun.
[DON'T LET HIM DOWN, COLLETTE, YOU SEEMED LIKE A CHILL GAL.]
He was really confident about his sense of direction, so I just figured sending him places might be fun.
I'll see what I can do! Considering none of us even have sallaries right now...
( She giggles. )
Thanks for the head's up! What put you in mind to want to do this, anyway?
( She giggles. )
Thanks for the head's up! What put you in mind to want to do this, anyway?
You're the best, man! And I guess it'd be kinda hard to get paid on the moon, not that there's much around to spend it on.
[He's already depleting his super-meager savings but it's true: what else is he going to use it on, exactly? The past doesn't exactly take weird not-British currency...]
... Hmm, I dunno, it just kind of happened. It's a reflex when people lecture too much!
[The thing is, he's telling the truth here.]
[He's already depleting his super-meager savings but it's true: what else is he going to use it on, exactly? The past doesn't exactly take weird not-British currency...]
... Hmm, I dunno, it just kind of happened. It's a reflex when people lecture too much!
[The thing is, he's telling the truth here.]
People lecture, and you start making things up?
( She sounds... very amused at this. )
( She sounds... very amused at this. )
Not just that! Sometimes I put rubber snakes in their bedroom, too. I've gotta be creative if I wanna keep my edge.
[What edge is that who even knows....]
You can't tell me people lecturing all the time doesn't make you a little crazy too.
[What edge is that who even knows....]
You can't tell me people lecturing all the time doesn't make you a little crazy too.
I'm really good at tuning out the boring stuff! You just remember to smile, or nod, or look shamefaced when they expect you to. They almost never catch on!
Hmmm, I do that when they're too scary to mess with.
[The funny thing is, that mostly ends up being people his own age rather than any actual authority figures. Though he's not too outrageous with those. Especially not this year.]
Unfortunately, they can usually tell if they're that scary...
[The funny thing is, that mostly ends up being people his own age rather than any actual authority figures. Though he's not too outrageous with those. Especially not this year.]
Unfortunately, they can usually tell if they're that scary...
Scary perceptive people are pretty good at seeing through everything!
I know, right? It's completely unfair! They should pick one or the other, with both they're just too overpowered for the rest of us poor mortals!
[Or he needs to work on his poker face. But honestly, he's surrounded by these guys, he never stood a chance!]
[Or he needs to work on his poker face. But honestly, he's surrounded by these guys, he never stood a chance!]
( She ends up laughing. )
Maybe you just need to work on your straight face! Or, you know, not care about being caught out. Laugh it off! And start paying attention I guess.
Maybe you just need to work on your straight face! Or, you know, not care about being caught out. Laugh it off! And start paying attention I guess.
Ah, I'm working on it, I'm working on it.
[He's trying really hard! It's actually had a lot of exercise lately, but sometimes you really get tired of it. Her laughter makes him smile a little wider, though.]
I can laugh off most anything, you know. But what'm I supposed to be paying attention to, though?
[He's trying really hard! It's actually had a lot of exercise lately, but sometimes you really get tired of it. Her laughter makes him smile a little wider, though.]
I can laugh off most anything, you know. But what'm I supposed to be paying attention to, though?
"Right." Juice. Juice is a suggestion he understands. He stands, still dazed, and pours a glass. Which he tries to hand to Collette, but...loses his grip on? Misjudges the distance? He's not sure what happens, because it happens without intent. Like a time jump, or a mini blackout. Whatever happens between picking up the full glass and the puddle of juice on the floor is lost on him.
He stares unhelpfully, baffled at how it could've gotten there. Sorry, Collette. This friendly interrogation/heads up isn't going as smoothly as he'd planned.
He stares unhelpfully, baffled at how it could've gotten there. Sorry, Collette. This friendly interrogation/heads up isn't going as smoothly as he'd planned.
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